A little while ago I wanted to go to an expensive restaurant with my friend. But my friend's boss wanted this: [that] my friend go to a different city for a work conference. Therefore my friend could not go with me. Alas! [Before the action of the previous sentence, already in the past] I gave money for tickets of the restaurant (i.e., reservations) and cannot remove the ticket (i.e., cancel). My friend did this: The cousin/relative of my friend went with me. Alas! I felt bad because of this: the restaurant has a ballroom, but nobody can dance because of this: everywhere there are chairs and tables. We two ate well and felt good. All is good.